US3403806A - Collapsible container construction - Google Patents

Description

A. POHL COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 5, 1964 Oct. 1, 1968 A. POHL COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION Filed dime 5, 1964 4 sheets-sheet 2 Fig.3

Oct. 1, 1968 A. POHL. 3,403,806

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER CONSTRUCTJ ION Filed June 3, 1964 -4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 1, 1968 Filed June 5, 1964 A. POHL 3,403,806

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig.7

"hul T United States Patent 1 Claim. 61. 220-6) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a one-piece, knockdown cargo container of a large capacity which includes a floor, end walls hingedly secured along each end edge for inward folding onto the floor, a rear wall hingedly secured along its bottom edge to the rear edge of the floor, a roof hingedly secured along one edge to the top horizontal edge of the rear wall, and a front wall member secured along its top horizontal edge to the opposite horizontal edge of the roof, the outside face of the roof being folded against the outside face of the rear wall and the inside face of the front wall being folded against the inside face of the roof. The container is characterized further in that C-shaped or U-shaped channel members are provided along the respective foldlines within which hinge means are disposed in a protected state. Sealing means are provided in right angled portions formed by the channel members to render the cargo containers substantially watertight when in use.

The present invention relates to reusable, collapsible cargo containers of the type employed in the transporting of goods by means of different carrier systems, and more particularly, to a new and novel collapsible cargo container construction capable of carrying large quantities of goods therein and which will provide protection for the container and its contents from damage and the like during the transporting or loading and unloading of such containers from ships or other similar transport media.

In the shipping of cargo over integrated transportation systems, and particularly international waterway shipping, it is highly desirable to ship the goods in large containers. However, in a great many instances, return cargo for shipment in the containers back to the original source or other location oftentimes is not available. In such cases, the containers must be stored for future use or returned to the original shipper. In either case, it is highly desirable for the cargo containers to be capable of being knocked down to a size which is small in volume and will permit storage or shipment of the knocked-down container to another location for reuse at a low cost. At the present time there are no satisfactory cargo containers readily available which meet these requirements as well as certain standards recently established. First, the knock-down cargo containers now available are small in size rather than van-sized, thereby limiting the capacity and type of cargo that may be shipped. Moreover, the prior small cargo containers have been susceptible to being damaged during the handling thereof and the containers becoming distorted, which will affect the watertightness of the container thereby necessitating substantially high maintenance costs.

Still further, in an effort to provide uniform sized cargo containers which can be employed on a worldwide level to fit the container carrying equipment for shipment on rails, roads and ships, the International Standardizing Organization at the recommendation of the American Standard Association has adopted as uniform dimensional standards for the cargo containers a height and width of 8 feet and a preferred length of 2.0 feet, with a discre- 3,403,806 Patented Oct. 1, 1968 "ice tionary range of 10 to 30 feet for the length thereof. Such standards have been made compulsory by the American Administration Commission as well as being adopted by other organizations, such as Union Internationale des Chemin de fer for certain European countries.

Moreover, in the types of cargo containers heretofore employed, another problem has arisen as a result of the type of handling to which such containers are subjected. For example, a large container presenting a heavy load hanging and freely swinging above or within the ships hatch is subject to violent impacts to a far greater degree than small and lighter units. This is particularly true if the containers are built to be collapsible. For example, the parts of the corner edges of rigid containers are welded solidly together, as in a rigid container, and would be quite strong and would resist bending of the corner edges on impact. However, if the container is of a collapsible form the corner edges are held together by hinges which could be damaged on impact to such an extent that the hinges and consequently the joints would not function properly. Furthermore, with respect to the prior collapsible containers, deformation, however small, of the cargo container can distort the parts and prevent a snug closing of the joint. Such a closure would affect the Watertightness of the container, which is quite oftentimes essential for the protection of the goods present in the container.

Containers meeting these requirements have presented problems since all such type cargo containers of such dimension heretofore have necessitated their knocking down and re-erecting by manipulating each part by hand. By way of example, a steel container 8 feet high by 8 feet wide and 20 feet in length and possessing a capacity of 1280 cubic feet would have longitudinal walls and a roof wall weighing 500 to 600 pounds each. Walls of this weight and dimensions obviously cannot be handled by human physical means and require mechanical lifting means to move them into erected or assembled position.

In the elimination of the foregoing and related disadvantages, it is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a new and novel reusable, collapsible container construction of the size known as van size containers.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a reusable, collapsible container construction possessing advantages not heretofore found in collapsible containers.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a reusable, collapsible, van-sized container construction having a snug interlocking of the component parts thereof.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a reusable, collapsible, van-sized container construction that may be assembled in a very simple manner regardless of its size and capacity.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a reusable, collapsible, van-sized container having connecting parts which unite the component parts thereof and which will not be damaged by impact or load stresses from any source.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a reusable, collapsible, van-sized container construction in which the component parts thereof are retained together in such manner as to impart maximum sturdiness thereto comparable with a rigid container.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a reusable, collapsible, van-sized container that is substantially watertight along its seams thereby reducing maintenance and repair costs.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a reusuable, van-sized container having means to permit the hooking of ropes, cables, or the like thereto 3 without such means increasing the dimensional size of the container.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the present invention then consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claim, the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain means in the carrying out of the invention, such disclosed means illustrating, however, but one of various ways in which the principle of the invent-ion may be employed.

The present invention is illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary erspective view looking inside out of a container made in accordance with the present invention illustrating the association of the front wall to the roof and the end walls when the container is in an erected state.

FIG. 2 is an exploded section taken along the lines II II of FIG. 1 illustrating the reinforcement means for and association of the front wall and roof.

FIG. 3 is an exploded section taken along lines III-III of FIG. 1 illustrating in detail the hinged assembly when the roof and front wall are in an erected state.

FIG. 3A is an exploded section of the view shown in FIG. 3 with the front wall being hinged inwardly in the direction of the roof wall in the manner which it will appear when the container has been knocked down.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a reusable container made in accordance with the present invention in a completely erected state.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a container made in accordance with the present invention illustrating the container in a partially folded state in which it will appear when being knocked down.

FIG. 4B is another perspective view of a container made in accordance with the present invention in an almost completely knocked down state.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged section taken on lines VV of FIG. 1 illustrating the assembly of the end wall to the side wall when the container is in an erected state.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation illustrating the end wall and floor assembly of a container made in accordance with the present invention illustratingthe relationship of a side wall to the floor in an erected state.

FIG. 6A is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation illustrating the end wall and floor assembly of a container made in accordance with the present invention illustrating the relationship of a side wall to the floor in a folded state.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation illustrating the roof and a side wall in an erected state, and particularly illustrating the relationship of a crane engaging means for lifting of the container.

FIG. 7A is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevation illustrating the relationship of the crane engagement means both in an operating and non-operating stage.

Turning now to the drawings, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, it will be seen that the illustrative embodiment of a knock-down, reusable cargo container made in accordance with the present invention comprises a front wall 1, a rear wall 40, a pair of opposed end walls 2, a roof 3, and a floor 4 operatively connected to one another in a manner more fully described hereinafter. The front wall 1, the longitudinal rear wall 49 and each of the end walls 2 have a series of alternating outwardly and inwardly disposed vertically extending channel members 5 and 6 connected to one another by bridging member 9. This construction results in corrugated wall members pos sessing greater strength and rigidity than would be normally achieved otherwise. The roof 3 is similarly pro- 'vided with alternating, horizontally extending channel members 8 and 7 which are united to one another by vertically disposed bridging members 90, thereby forming a corrugated roof of similar configuration to that of the front and rear walls and the opposed end walls. The floor 4 may be of any desired design but obviously should possess the same strength and rigidity as the other elements.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the top or upper perimetral edge of each of the front and rear walls 1 and 40 is provided with a horizontally disposed, outwardly extending C-shaped channel member 18 in which the open side or face of the channel member faces in the direction of the interior of the container when same is in an erected state. As shown particularly in FIG. 5 with respect to the front wall 1, the vertically disposed perimetral edge of the front wall 1 is provided with a U-shaped or T-shaped member having an integral extension 28 formed therewith which produces a vertically disposed flat face at right angles to the interior face of the front wall 1 thus forming an inwardly facing channel portion. While FIG. 5 illustrates only one corner arrangement with respect to the front wall 1 and end wall 2, it is to be clearly understood that the same construction will be present along each vertical edge of the front wall 1, the rear wall 40, and each end wall 2. This construction thus defines a perimetral edge extending along each vertical side edge and the top edge of the front and rear walls 1 and 40 and will be, in a manner more particularly pointed out hereinafter, an aid in the sealing of the container when same is in an erected state such that it will be virtually watertight.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, the top or upper perimetral edge and the vertical perimetral edge of each of the end walls 2 are provided with a C-shaped channel member 26 extending along each respective side edge thereof. As will be noted particularly in FIG. 5, the open side or face of the C-shaped channel member 26 faces outwardly from the interior of the container when same is in an erected state. This construction results in the top and each side edge of each of the end walls 2 possessing C-shaped channel members which, in association with the channel members of the front and rear walls 1 and 40 and the roof 3, will provide a vertically watertight container when same is in an erected state.

As is best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the perimetral edge of the roof 3 is provided with a U-shaped channel member 20 which extends completely around the outer perimeter of the roof. The U-shaped channel member 20 is provided with an integral, depending flange member 21 which will result, when the container is in an erected state, in the member 21 lying in outwardly spaced, substantially parallel relationship to the C-shaped channel members 18 and 26 of the front and rear walls 1 and 40 and the end wall 2, respectively. This construction results, when the container is in an erected state as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the roof 3 covering the top perimetral edges of the front and rear walls 1 and 40 and the end walls 2 in enveloping relationship, with the channel member 20 embracing the channel members 18 and 26 by means of the depending flange portion 21 of the channel 26 in laterally spaced enveloping relationship. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5, the vertically disposed perimetral channel members 25 of the front and rear walls 1 and 40 will lie in spaced, enveloping relationship with respect to the vertically disposed channel members 26 of each end wall 2.

To provide a proper sealing between the interlocking channel members of the roof 3, the front and rear walls 1 and 40, and the end walls 2, the space between the overlapped or enveloping panel members is provided with a sealing gasket 11 made of any suitable material, such as, for example, foam rubber. The sealing gasket 27 between the vertically disposed channel members 25 and 26 of the front and rear walls 1 and 40 and the end walls 2 likewise may be made of foam rubber. The sealing gaskets may be bonded or otherwise secured to one face of one of each of the cooperating channel members in any suitable manner. As shown in FIG. 3A, by way of example, the gasket 11 is secured to the face of the channel formed by the depending flange 21 of the channel member 20 and the undersurface of the perimetral edge of the roof 3.

To aid in the retention of the container in an erected state, to provide improved strength to the container, and to facilitate the compression of the gaskets 11 and 27 disposed between the respective channel members, suitable clasp or connecting means is provided for connecting the roof 3 to the front and rear walls 1 and 40 and to each end wall 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with respect to the front wall 1, a portion of one end wall 2 and a portion of the roof 3, the clasp means is in the form of a turnbuckle 13 which is mounted at one end for pivotal movement to a mounting plate 14 secured to the inside face of the front wall 1, the turnbuckle being swingable up and down about the mounting plate 14. The turnbuckle 13 at its opposite end is provided with a knob portion which, when the container is in an erected state as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, will be retained within a U-shaped retaining member secured to the inside face of the channel member of the roof 3. When the container is in an erected state and the turnbuckle connected to the retaining member 15, the turnbuckle 13 may be rotated to draw the roof 3 downwardly, as shown in FIG. 2, into tight relationship with the front wall 1 and compressing gasket 11, thereby providing a tight seal between the roof 3 and the upper edges of the front and rear walls 1 and 40 and the end Walls 2. In addition, the turnbuckle 13 will provide increased rigidity to the container and hence increased strength against damage thereto. When the container is to be placed in a knocked-down state, the tumbuckle 13 will be disconnected from the U-shaped retaining member 15 and then pivoted downwardly around the connecting plate 14. The disconnected free end of the turnbuckle 13 is then snapped into engagement with a U-shaped retainer socket 17 secured to the inside face of the front wall 1. This construction will result in the turnbuckle being in a locked, recessed state when the container is in a knocked-down state. While the turnbuckle assembly 13 has been shown only with respect to the front wall 1 and the roof 3, it is to be clearly understood that it would be obvious, if desired, to connect front and rear walls 1 and 40 and each end wall 2 to the roof 3 at additional points in a similar manner.

To insure the compression of the vertical edges of the end walls 2 to the front and rear walls 1 and 40, and to add further strength, clasp means which is illustrated in the form of a turnbuckle 12 spans the corners of the container when same is in an erected state. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5 with respect to one corner, the turnbuckle 12 is pivotally connected at one end to a swivel joint carried by the connecting plate 14 which is secured to the inside face of a bridging member 9 between panels 5 and 6 of the front wall and is mounted for movement both in either a horizontal plane or a vertical plane. The inside face of the end wall 2 adjacent the corner thereof is provided with a clavis-like fork assembly 16 into which the opposite free end of the turnbuckle 12 will be positioned by means of a pin extending downwardly therethrough thereby retaining the free end of the turnbuckle 12 in locked engagement with the clavis-like fork member 16. When the turnbuckle so positioned is in locked engagement between the front wall 1 and the end wall 2, the turnbuckle 12 may be tightened thereby drawing the end wall 2 into tight engagement along a vertical edge with the front wall 1, thereby increasing the strength and rigidity of the container and also compressing the sealing gasket 27 within the enveloping or overlapped channel portions of the respective members to increase the sealing relationship of the gasket. While the turnbuckle 12 has been shown only with respect to one corner, it is to be understood that the same arrangement could exist, if desired, at all four corners.

When the container is in a knock-down state, the pin will be removed from the clavis-like fork member 16 and the free end of the turnbuckle 12 removed therefrom. The turnbuckle 12 is then swung outwardly and downwardly with the free end thereof being snapped into engagement within the locking member 17 mounted on the channel web 9 adjacent the lower end thereof. This results in the turnbuckle 12 being held in a locked and recessed position when the container is in knocked-down state.

With regard to the connection of the front and rear wall members 1 and 40, the end wall 2, the roof 3, and the bottom or floor 4 to one another so that a one-piece, knockdown container may be produced, reference is to be had to FIGS. 4A and 4B wherein such means is illustrated. As shown therein, each end wall 2 is pivotally hinged only along its bottom edge to each end edge of the floor 4 for inward folding directly thereonto when the container is to be placed in a knocked-down state. The rear wall 40 is pivotally secured along its bottom edge to the rear edge of the floor 4 so that it may be folded inwardly to overlay the inwardly folded end walls 2 when the container is to be placed in a knocked-down state.

The roof 3 is pivotally secured along its back horizontal edge only to the top horizontal edge of the back wall 40 with the outside face of the roof 3 resting against the outside face of the back wall 40 when the container is placed in a knocked-down state. The front wall 1 is hingedly secured along its top horizontal edge to the front horizontal edge of the roof 3 for pivotal movement therewith such that the inside face of the front Wall 1 will rest on the inside face of the roof 3 when the container is in a knockdown state.

In the pivotal attachment of the respective members to one another, care must be exercised to insure the use of hinge means which will be so positioned that they will be protected against damage by impact and will be of suflicient strength to retain the members in a proper relationship to one another when the container is being lifted or otherwise carried. In the following description with respect to the hinge means, reference will be had only to one hinge at one corner for securing the back wall 40 to the floor 4, and one hinge at one corner for securing the roof 3 to the front wall 1. However, it is to be understood that two or more similar hinges will be employed between each of the respective members. Likewise, the hinge assembly to be employed in securing the roof 3 to the back wall 40 will be the same as that employed in securing the roof 3 to the front wall 1.

In the attachment of the rear wall 40 to the floor 4, reference is to be had to FIGS. 6 and 6A. As shown, the bottom edge of the rear wall 40 is provided with an integral, inwardly facing C-shaped channel member 32 extending along its bottom edge thereof. A downwardly extending flange portion 30 integrally secured with the channel member 32 is provided which forms with the bottom leg of the C-shaped member a right angled corner portion into which a sealing gasket 33 of foam rubber or the like is secured thereto in any suitable manner.

A C-shaped' channel member 29 is secured along its bottom leg to the top face of the outer longitudinal rear edge of the floor 4 by welding or the like with the open face of the channel member extending outwardly therefrom. A bottom or second hinge element 31 which is complementary with an interfitting in the upper or first hinge element 34 is secured by welding or the like to the top free surface of the C-shaped channel member 29. Each of the interfitting hinge elements 31 and 34 have a common aperture extending therethrough into which a hinge pin or bolt is secured to retain the elements is secured pivotal relationship.

As will be noted from the construction just described, the several hinges that will be employed to secure the rear wall 40 to the floor 4 will be in an enclosed state. When the container is in an erected state, the protective casing is formed by the double channel members which will protect the entire joint from damage by impact or the like and will be of suflicient strength to resist weight loads during the use of the container, particularly when same is being shifted. Moreover, when the container is in an erected state the gasket 33 will be compressed inwardly thereby insuring the container will remain watertight when in an erected state.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 3A, it will be noted that a hinge assembly 19 is provided which is similarly protected within channel members w en the container is in an erected state. As illustrated, the hinge 19 comprises an upper or first hinge element 22 secured to the inside face of the base of the U-shaped channel member 20 and extends downwardly there-from. A lower or second hinge element 23 which is complementary with and adapted for inter-engagement within the upper hinge element 22 is secured within the formed C-shaped channel member 18 by welding or the like. The upper and lower hinge elements 22 and 23 are provided with a common bore into which a hinge pin 24 is positioned.

As has been indicated hereinbefore, the depending flange 21 of the C-shaped channel member 20 forms a right angled portion with the bottom face of the C-shaped channel member into which a sealing gasket 11 of foam rubber or the like is bonded in any suitable manner. As shown in FIG. 3, when the container is in an erected state the gasket 11 is compressed against the outside face of the C-shaped channel member 18 by welding or the like. The upper and lower hinge elements 22 and 23 are provided with a common bore into which a hinge pin 24 is positioned.

As has been indicated hereinbefore, the depending flange 21 of the C-shaped channel member 20 forms a right angled portion with the bottom face of the C-shaped channel member into which a sealing gasket 11 of foam rubber or the like is bonded in any suitable manner. As shown in FIG. 3, when the container is in an erected state the gasket 11 is compressed against the outside face of the C-shaped channel member 18 thereby providing a watertight seal along the casing. Similarly, the hinge elements 19 which will be positioned at various points along the hinge line are recessed within the C-shaped channel members when the container is in an erected state thereby insuring a strengthened hinge assembly and one which will be protected from damage due to impacts and the like. The roof 3 will be secured to the upper edge of the back wall 40 by a hinge assembly identical with the hinge assembly just described for securing the front wall 40 to the roof 3.

Reference is now to be had to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 7, and 7A wherein means are illustrated by which the container elements may be lifted or lowered in the assembly and knocking down of the container. As illustrated particularly in FIGS. 7 and 7A, a pair of square shaped blocks are secured in laterally spaced relationship adjacent each corner to the outside surface of the front wall 1 and to the rear wall 40 by any suitable means, such as, for example, welding or the like. Each of the blocks 35 is provided with a vertically extending aperture therethrough. A U- shaped bolt member 36 has its respective legs mounted in the respective apertures of each pair of blocks for vertical movement therein. The bottom end of the legs 36 are provided with stop members 37 and serve to prevent the legs of the U-shaped bolts 36 from being pulled out of the apertures of each of the blocks 35. The U- shaped bolts 36 serve as padeyes for connecting to suitable mechanical lifting means in order to lift the whole container, erect the container or to knock the container down in the manner hereinbefore described with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B. To provide additional support for the container when in use, integral leg members 41 are formed with the floor 4 and extend downwardly from each corner and intermediate the long axis of the floor.

From the foregoing illustrative embodiment of a collapsible cargo container made in accordance with the present invention, it is seen that maximum protection is provided for the respective hinge means by mounting them in the C-shaped or U-shaped channel members provided along the associated edges. The particular association of the channel members insures protection for the joints against impact and undue stresses or strains encountered during use. Moreover, the association of the channel members makes it possible to provide complementary sealing edges which form a substantially Watertight sealing for the entire container when same is in an erected state. Thus, container constructions made in accordance with the present invention are far stronger and more watertight than prior containers.

While there have been described herein what are at present considered preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the essence of the invention. It is therefore to be understood that the exemplary embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claim, and that all modifications that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claim are intended to be included therein.

I claim:

1. A collapsible cargo container comprising a bottom member; a pair of opposed end walls hingedly secured to each end edge of said bottom member; said bottom member having a C-shaped, outwardly facing first channel member secured along the longitudinal rear edge thereof with said channel member having a vertical height corresponding to the thickness of said end walls when folded on the bottom member, a rear wall member having a second C-shaped channel member secured along the lower horizontal edge thereof with the open face thereof facing inwardly, at least two first hinge portions secured within said second channel member, at least two second hinge portions complementary with and connected to said first hinge portions for hinging movement therewith secured to the top surface of said first channel member, said second channel member having a depending flange portion forming with the bottom legs of said channel member a right angled portion, gasket sealing means secured to said right angled portion, said depending flange of said second channel member, when the container is in an erected state, overlapping the open face of said first channel member, with the right angled portion of said first channel member being sealed thereagainst; a front wall, the vertical edges of each of the front and rear walls provided with first U-shaped channel members in which the open end thereof faces outwardly, a depending flange portion secured to and constituting an inward extension of the outside leg of said U-shaped channel member and forming with the bottom surface of said U-shaped channel member a right angled portion, the vertical edge of each of the opposed end walls provided with a third C-shaped vertically disposed channel member in which the open face thereof faces outwardly, the depending flange portion of said first U-shaped members of the front and rear walls, when the continer is in an erected state, being complementary with and overlapping said third C-shaped channel members of the respective and edges of said end walls, sealing means disposed within each of the third C-shaped channel members and the right angled portions of said first U-shaped channel members for sealing the respective vertical edges of the container when same is in an erected state; horizontally disposed clamping means detachably connecting the respective end walls to the front and rear walls at each corner thereof, said clamping means including means to draw the respective walls into tight sealing engagement with one another; a roof hingedly connected along its respective longitudinal edges to the top longitudinal edges respectively of the front and rear walls, said roof having second U-shaped channel members extending completely around the perimeter thereof with the open face thereof extending upwardly, the top edges of the two end walls and the front and rear walls each having inwardly facing fourth C-shaped top channel members formed thereon, at least two first hinge portions secured in horizontally spaced relationship within said fourth C-shaped channel members of each of said front and rear walls, at least two second hinge means complementary to and associated with said first hinge means of each of said front and rear Walls secured to the undersurface of said second U-shaped top channel members of said front and rear walls, a downwardly extending flange portion secured to the outside leg of said second U-shaped channel members of said roof and forming right angled portions with the undersur-face of said second U-shaped channel means, a sealing gasket secured to each of said right angled portions, said container when in an erected state having the formed right angled portions of the second U-shaped channel members of the roof in sealed engagement with the top of the fourth C-shaped top channel members of 1 the end Walls, front walls, and rear walls, clamping means detachably connecting the front and rear walls to said roof, said clamping means including means to draw said 10 roof and said front and rear walls into tight sealing engagement, and means secured to the outside surface of said front wall for receiving attaching means for connection to mechanical lifting means for erecting or knocking the cargo container down.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 480,914 8/1892 Bender 220-6 10 2,868,407 '1/ 1959 Woodcock 2207 2,972,430 2/ 1961 Johnson 2207 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,094,817 1/1955 France THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

G. E. LOWRANCE, Assistant Examiner.

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